“This past year has been an interesting one. With all the ups and downs of COVID, and the ups and downs of Junior year, I wanted this summer to be one that offered me an opportunity to focus on something that is both really important to me and would give me the chance to gain a bit of perspective on the issues facing our world. During the pandemic, it became so easy to simply focus on all the negative things being thrown our way. As a result, I frequently found myself feeling upset and angry with all the difficult things I had to deal with as a consequence of COVID. From distance learning, to social isolation, it was pretty difficult at times. However, the reality of the situation is that for me, I still had access to an education and I was able to see my family who, thankfully, remained healthy. I had access to everything that I needed and eventually I went back to school in person. Consequently, I have had time to reflect on some of the things from this past year that I have found the most valuable: education and health. Even though the mode of education was altered, I still had the opportunity to learn new material which will help me greatly in the future.

So, with a bit of a fresh perspective coming out of the pandemic, I wanted to spend my summer doing something that is close to my heart and would also allow me to work with people whose access to these resources is limited. That’s why this summer, I will be an intern with HOPE’S IN. I am very excited for this opportunity because it will allow me to get more involved with a different side of an organization I have spent my first 3 years of high school working with. I will be working alongside Courtney, and the Fortaleza committee to help support them in planning dental clinics and training opportunities for medical staff in Guatemala City. Additionally, I will be working with various service organizations in the Barrington area to help spread awareness about some of the new initiatives HOPE’S IN will be working on this summer, like August Days. August Days will take the place of the Summer Service Learning Exchange trip to Guatemala City due to the pandemic. This year, the August Days event will give volunteers an opportunity to see what work Hope’s IN has been doing during this past year, including assisting families in Guatemala City with the severe difficulties of the pandemic.

I am very excited for this opportunity to further get involved with HOPE’S IN as I have been an intern with the high school INternship program for about 3 years now, and am looking forward to seeing a side to the organization that I am not as familiar with.“

Written by Sanjana S., Senior at Barrington High School